ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pay attention to sb/sth

idiom
Meaning

To watch, listen to, or think about someone or something carefully. You use it when you need to focus your mind on something specific.


Examples
SIMPLE

Please pay attention to the teacher during the lesson.

CONTEXTUAL

You should pay attention to the road signs so you do not miss your exit.

COMPLEX

If you fail to pay attention to the subtle shifts in market trends, you risk losing your competitive advantage in the industry.

Last updated April 22, 2026